July 8, 2004

Pet of the Week: C. J.

Animal magnetism

There’s a recent four-legged addition in New Almaden. A few of the residents surprised New Almaden Quicksilver Museum Park interpreter, John Slenter, with his very own dachshund puppy for a birthday surprise this year.

C. J., named after Slenter’s grandchild, Chandler Jordan, is a 10-week-old, miniature “sausage” dog with red and white markings on his smooth, short, dense fur that he still is growing into. A charmer with unusual blue eyes, the wiggly pup is just getting used to his new digs.

“At first I didn’t want a puppy and thought I’d get a 1-year-old dog,” Slenter said towering over his new charge. “But then I saw him.”

And it’s obviously love at first sight as Slenter’s voice softens as he holds the affectionate pup.

Slenter has always been partial to the breed, sharing his life with several in the past. The dachshund originated in Germany many hundreds of years ago—dachs is the German word for badger—which the dogs were trained to follow and hunt along with other small creatures: marten, weasel and hare. The breed eventually evolved, with shortened legs to dig the prey out and go into small burrows. Given the dogs’ diminutive size, the canines were very courageous and now, make wonderful house pets though do love regular walks and have surprising stamina.

C. J. has acquired all the trappings necessary for a good life with Slenter. The pup has his own bed but Slenter admits the dog sleeps in his bedroom. His grandchildren sent C. J. a collection of toys and treats and he sports his own red bandana mirroring Slenter’s passion for the Wild West. The intelligent face looks up at everyone from its petite perspective and serenely seems to state, “I like it here.”

“I knew C.J. would be a calm dog when we picked him up,” Slenter said about the trip near Winters, Calif. he made with Kitty Monahan to pick up the pint-sized pooch. “He was quiet all the way back to his new home. The traffic noise didn’t frighten him a bit.”

But C. J. is still a dog in training and one of the first things that must be done is a thorough exploration of his new home. The backyard was especially interesting when C.J. discovered a pond. Slenter turned his back for a second and when he looked again, there was just the pup’s backside and tail jutting out of the shadowy waters. A swift move and C.J. was rescued with a quick rinse and dry and a lesson learned.

One thing special about having a puppy is the witnessing of the “firsts.” The little heart stealer was making whimpering noises when all of a sudden a bark occurred, shocking the canine and bringing laughter to Slenter.

The excitement of the woof led to a “puppy frenzy” and C. J. scampered throughout the house, ending up on Slenter’s lap when his eyes would no longer stay open, contented with his new home and falling swiftly asleep. The frisky pup has found the good life in New Almaden and Slenter has a birthday surprise he will never forget.

—By Jeanne C. Lewis

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